Sprinkler riser extension kit

Abstract

A sprinkler riser extension kit elevates a pop-up sprinkler that has a riser and a head detachable from the riser. The kit includes a gripping head having a channel extending therethrough, and a riser extension configured to slide within the channel and having a length corresponding to the length of the channel. The lower end of the gripping head is configured for attachment to the sprinkler, e.g., by a plurality of flexible pawls spaced evenly about the lower end. The riser extension includes means for attachment between the sprinkler head and the sprinkler riser. To elevate the sprinkler, the head is detached, the riser passed through the gripping head, the riser extension attached to the riser, the head attached to the riser extension, and the gripping head attached to the top of the sprinkler.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sprinkler riser extension kit, comprising:
 a gripping head having an upper end and a lower end, a channel extending through the upper end and lower end, the lower end having a means for attachment to a cap of a sprinkler; and 
 a riser extension configured to slide within the channel, and having a first attachment means configured for attachment to a head of the sprinkler, and a second attachment means configured for attachment to a riser of the sprinkler from which the head of the sprinkler is detached, 
 wherein the gripping head comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining a boundary of the channel, the inner wall separated from the outer wall by a plurality of interior voids; 
 wherein the upper end of the gripping head covers the plurality of interior voids; and 
 wherein the inner wall extends a same axial length as the outer wall. 
 
     
     
       2. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the riser extension is substantially equal to a height of the channel. 
     
     
       3. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein the channel extends concentrically through the gripping head. 
     
     
       4. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
       5. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein the lower end of the gripping head's means for attachment to the cap of the sprinkler comprises a plurality of pawls projecting from the lower end of the gripping head. 
     
     
       6. The extension kit of  claim 5 , wherein the pawls are spaced evenly about the lower end of the gripping head. 
     
     
       7. The extension kit of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the pawls comprises a finger portion that projects inwardly. 
     
     
       8. The extension kit of  claim 5 , wherein each of the pawls is formed as a resilient spring configured to impart a restoring force against a cap of the sprinkler when the gripping head is pressed downward over the cap. 
     
     
       9. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping head further comprises means for rotating the gripping head by hand. 
     
     
       10. The extension kit of  claim 9 , wherein the means for rotating comprises one or more outwardly projecting tabs. 
     
     
       11. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein the riser extension is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       12. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein the riser extension has an outer surface configured to allow the riser extension to slide against the inner wall. 
     
     
       13. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first attachment means and the second attachment means comprises threading. 
     
     
       14. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sprinkler comprises a pop-up sprinkler. 
 
     
     
       15. The extension kit of  claim 1 , wherein a lower end of the riser extension comprises a rim having a plurality of ridges formed on a bottom surface of the rim. 
     
     
       16. A sprinkler riser extension kit, comprising:
 a gripping head configured for removable attachment to a cap of a sprinkler and defining an upper end and a channel extending through the gripping head; and 
 a riser extension configured to slide within the channel, the riser extension further configured for attachment between (i) a head of the sprinkler and (ii) a riser of the sprinkler from which the head of the sprinkler is detached, 
 wherein the gripping head comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining a boundary of the channel, the inner wall separated from the outer wall by a plurality of interior voids; 
 wherein the upper end of the gripping head covers the plurality of interior voids; and 
 wherein the inner wall extends a same axial length as the outer wall. 
 
     
     
       17. The sprinkler riser extension kit of  claim 16 , wherein a width of the channel substantially equals a width of the riser of the sprinkler. 
     
     
       18. The sprinkler riser extension of  claim 16 , wherein a width of the channel substantially equals a width of the riser extension. 
     
     
       19. The sprinkler riser extension of  claim 16 , wherein a length of the channel corresponds to a length of the riser extension. 
     
     
       20. A kit for elevating a pop-up sprinkler having a riser and a head detachable from the riser, the kit comprising:
 a gripping head configured for attachment to a cap of the pop-up sprinkler, and defining an upper end and a channel configured for passage of the riser of the pop-up sprinkler therethrough; and 
 a riser extension configured to pass through the channel and further configured to attach between the riser of the pop-up sprinkler and the head of the pop-up sprinkler; 
 wherein the gripping head comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining a boundary of the channel, the inner wall separated from the outer wall by a plurality of interior voids; 
 wherein the upper end of the gripping head covers the plurality of interior voids; and 
 wherein the inner wall extends a same axial length as the outer wall.